Still researching... One of the things I long for...want desperately...is immersive..3d sound for my HT.

I was wondering which was a bigger componet of gettign that enveloped 3d sound stage... A reciever or the speakers?

I noticed when I auditioned PSB speakers ....the sound stage was weak compared to same reciever with the Klipsch. Don't get me wrong...totally different sounding speakers...but the envelopment factor heavily went to the Klipsch. I ended up not loving the "brightness" but they for sure seemed to envelop me better.

I would assume that most receivers have an sound/adobe setting that widens the stage (de-emphasis of the center)....but that won't widen the sound coming from any individual speaker...just change the mix a bit!

The best way to be "enveloped" by sound is to be surrounded by speakers. Therefore, getting a receiver or pre/pro with multiple channels will provide "surround sound" and the more channels, the more enveloping the surround sound. 5.1 is good, 7.1 is better, 9.1 better still and 11.1 is the best that is currently available. Of course, you'll need speakers for all those locations also. Therefore, the question is not which is more important... both are essential to the experience.

Now, if you're just talking about 2-channel reproduction, then the speakers will have the biggest impact on the soundstage width. Still, there is no 2-channel system that is "enveloping" unless it uses some kind of sonic trickery.

Craig

Lombardi said it:Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

The Bose 901 speaker is designed to provide enveloping sound by bouncing sound all over the place. I have heard that is your room is just right, these speakers can provide a very encompassing sound. however, you won't get any lows and poor highs...